Prince Charles pays tribute to British families opening their homes to Ukrainian refugees

Prince Charles said it was “deeply moving” to see so many people ready to open their homes to those in need in his Easter message

Prince Charles has paid tribute to the British who have offered to take in Ukrainian refugees.

In his Easter message, the Prince of Wales said: “Today millions of people are displaced, weary from their journey from troubled places, wounded by the past, fearful of the future – and in need of a welcome.”

He added: “It has been deeply moving to see how so many people are willing to open their homes to those in need and how they have offered their time and resources to help those facing such soul-crushing suffering and hardship are.”

Charles also said it was a “huge privilege” to perform the ancient ceremony of distributing Maundy money to the faithful of the community at the royal Maundy service on Thursday on behalf of the Queen, who was unable to attend.

The prince vividly recalled the role played by his father, the Duke of Edinburgh, during the many green services he attended, as he “read the gospel, which tells how Jesus stood before his on the night of the Last Supper.” disciples knelt and washed their travel-weary feet”.

In his Easter message, the heir also recalled the millions of displaced people, “wounded by the past, fearful of the future”.

Charles said in his message: “In recent years I have been heartbroken by the suffering of the innocent victims of conflict or persecution, some of whom I have met and who have told me tales of unspeakable tragedy as they were forced from their countries flee and seek refuge far from home.

“But amidst all this sadness and inhumanity, it has been deeply moving to see how so many people are willing to open their homes to those in need, and how they have offered their time and resources to help those struggling with such soul-shattering suffering are confronted with and need”.

More than 200,000 people have expressed an interest in opening their homes to Ukrainian refugees under the government’s Homes for Ukraine sponsorship program.

Charles and his wife Camilla showed their solidarity with Ukraine by lighting a candle for the nation and sympathizing with the London community during a visit to the Ukrainian Catholic Cathedral in central London in March.

The Prince concluded his message by saying: “This Easter, as always, we are reminded of the timeless example of our Lord, of kindness in the face of suffering, of courage in the face of fear, of faith in the face of despair. His light triumphed in this dark time.

“I pray with all my heart that his inspiring example will help us all to banish the darkness from the world.”